Shreyas Iyer is leaner, fitter and even more determined than ever. Speaking at the Punjab Kings jersey launch in Chandigarh, the skipper made his mission for IPL 2026 unequivocally clear: "My eye is on the trophy."
After leading the franchise to a dominant first-place finish on the points table last season, only to stumble by six runs in a heart-wrenching final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer is ready to clear the final hurdle. For a franchise that has been a runner-up twice (2014 and 2025) but never a champion, the pressure is mounting, but as pacer Arshdeep Singh noted at the event, "pressure is a privilege."
Behind the confident exterior lies a harrowing recovery story. Iyer revealed that during India’s tour of Australia, he suffered a severe spleen injury while fielding that landed him in the ICU of a Sydney hospital. The road back to the 2026 season was a grueling physical test.
It’s always challenging to come back after an injury. I had lost around 7 kg due to the injury; it was a severe one. Gaining those 7 kg back took a lot of effort. I enjoy challenges, and that was one I had to overcome. I’m glad I came through that phase.
Shreyas Iyer
Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has already hailed Iyer as one of the finest captains in the league's history. While legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma sit at the pinnacle with five titles each, Badrinath places Iyer firmly in the next tier alongside Gautam Gambhir.
The challenge for Iyer in 2026 is unique. He must balance the tactical demands of a diverse squad while answering to high-profile management, including owner Preity Zinta. Iyer believes the secret to navigating this pressure lies in team bonding.
Family philosophy: Iyer views the two-month tournament as a "family" experience.
Gaming for goals: The team spends significant time in the "game room," building camaraderie over FIFA matches.
Cheer factor: Arshdeep Singh highlighted that the 30,000-strong crowd in New Chandigarh acts as a literal "12th man," helping the bowlers find an extra gear.
Punjab Kings remains one of only three active original franchises (alongside Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants) yet to lift the IPL trophy. Having singlehandedly carried the batting order in the 2025 playoffs, Iyer’s form will be the barometer for PBKS's success. This season also serves as a critical audition for his return to India's T20I side.
Opener: PBKS kicks off their season on March 31 against Gujarat Titans.
Venue: Matches will be hosted at the new stadium in New Chandigarh.
Captaincy pedigree: Iyer is the only captain to lead two different franchises (KKR and PBKS) to finals in consecutive years (2024, 2025).
Home fortress: The team has pledged to prioritize winning every home match to capitalize on local support.
